On Saturday 8th September, Orkney under 16s were away from home to play Deeside. The game kicked off at 12pm under clear blue skies.

As the game got underway it was obvious that Orkney got off to a slow start. This saw Orkney concede an early try which Deeside converted. Straight from the kick off Orkney piled on the pressure which forced Deeside to concede a penalty, Taylor Pilkington-Tait converted (7-3). As play carried on a missed tackle allowed Deeside to break down the blind side wing which lead to the home team scoring under the posts. The conversion was successful (14-3)

Orkney had time to regroup and get their heads together, then started to make good ground from rucks. Continuous pressure from Orkney leads to a line out. Euan Humphreys off-loaded to Orrin Fraser who set up another ruck with a good leg drive. Mark Sinclair picked up the ball and charges from 5 meters out and drives over the line in fantastic fashion!. Taylor PT missed the conversion (14-8).Not long after Orkney’s last try. Saw Taylor PT run from 40 meters out and break through the Deeside defence with very good footwork to see Orkney’s second try. Conversion missed (14-13). Half time was approaching and Orkney had a scrum 30 meters out from the try line. Orrin picked from the back of the scrum, then offloaded to Taylor PT who ran a straight line through Deeside’s defence. Conversion missed (14-18).The start of the second half didn’t see much action as both teams were cancelling each other out, until Orkney broke through into Deeside’s 22. Orkney won a penalty 5 metres out. Mark Sinclair takes a quick tap and leaps over the line as the Deeside defence was not prepared. Taylor PT converts (14-25).An Orkney set move saw Orrin Fraser take the ball from the scrum, break down the blind side then offload to Ciaran Drever who drives through the defence but was stopped short of the line. Orkney continued to dominate which saw them almost scoring three tries but were held up by good defensive play. Deeside gave away an easy penalty which saw a pod ball taken by Taylor Pirie, with good support play, Taylor was driven over the line. The following conversion was missed (14-30). With 15 minutes to go Orkney were straight up in the Deeside22 after receiving the kick off. From a maul a Deeside player was caught offside giving Orkney a penalty, from which a quick tap was taken giving Cameron Gray the ball and seeing him stagger over the line. Conversion missed (14-35).As the game drew to an end the weather was taking t stole on the boys fitness which was making them dehydrated and causing silly mistakes which was proven in the last play as Deeside scored a try, but missing the conversion, making the final score 19-35 to Orkney.Match Report by Ciaran Drever, Mark SinclairCoach Bruce Ruthven Commented:“The boys had a slow start today but showed strong character and patience to come back from 14-3 down. The boys scored some great individual tries and showed glimpses of their full potential. Next week we play Gordonstoun away which will be another stiff test.”Traveling Squad:Robbie Drever, Ross Sinclair, Taylor Pirie, Liam Moar, Craig Stout, Scott Smith, Euan Humphries, Orrin Fraser, Mark Sinclair, Taylor Pilkington-Tait, Sam Croy, Cammy Gray, Craig Russell, Craig Stevenson, Ciaran Drever, Ronan Osborne, Own Harcus, Robbie Hay, Jack Scott, Tom Gordon.